Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers took home the Entertainer of the Year award at the 22nd annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Thursday night, September 29 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Martin, who always included banjo picking in his early stand-up comedy routines, has become more serious about recording and performing bluegrass music during the past two years, with the release of two albums of original music.
Deserving special mention is this year's IBMA Print Media Person of the Year, my friend, Juli Thanki. Juli wrote alongside me at The 9513 and is now my editor at another incredible music publication called Engine 145. Her writing and wit are only surpassed by her wealth of passionate music knowledge. The IBMA could not have picked a more worthy candidate.
Martin appeared at the microphone to receive the bluegrass music industry’s highest music award, leapt a few times into the air, congratulated the other Entertainer of the Year nominees and jokingly thanked them for losing. He went on to thank producers John McEuen and Tony Trischka as well as his band mates, and then he talked about how hard they’ve been working on their music, as well as the humor and entertainment aspects of their show, while never denigrating the music. Martin said that while half of their audience usually comes to see him not knowing anything about bluegrass, “they all leave loving it, and maybe they seek out other musicians. We’re really, really honored to win this award tonight.”
Steep Canyon Rangers lead singer, Woody Platt quipped, “Working with Steve, we might be the most entertained of all. Most of all we thank Steve for giving us this most amazing ride.”
It was an exciting night for New York State-based band, The Gibson Brothers, who took home awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year for Help My Brother, on Compass Records.
The Boxcars, a new combination of veteran musicians, were named Emerging Artists of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year. Band member Ron Stewart tied for Banjo Player of the Year with The Grascals’ Kristin Scott Benson, who received the award for the fourth consecutive year.
The Boxcars, a new combination of veteran musicians, were named Emerging Artists of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year. Band member Ron Stewart tied for Banjo Player of the Year with The Grascals’ Kristin Scott Benson, who received the award for the fourth consecutive year.
Balsam Range received top honors for Song of the Year for “Trains I Missed,” written by Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard & Nicole Witt. “There are a lot of folks out there—myself included—who are thankful for some of those trains missed and how things turned out,” commented Tim Surrett of Balsam Range.
Legendary artists Doyle Lawson, J.D. Crowe and Paul Williams took home two trophies for Recorded Event of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance, for “Prayer Bells from Heaven.” The three announced their plans to record a second Old Friends album, much to the delight of fans in attendance at the Awards Show.
Russell Moore of IIIrd Tyme Out and Dale Ann Bradley took home awards for Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist of the Year—the fourth time for each. Rob Ickes of Blue Highway was awarded his 13th Dobro Player of the Year award, the most trophies any individual instrumentalist has received in the history of the IBMA Awards.
Michael Cleveland was named Fiddle Player of the Year for the ninth time, and his band received the award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for “Goin’ Up Dray Branch,” a song written by Buddy Spicher and Jimmy Martin. Marshall Wilborn was named Bass Player of the Year for the third time, Bryan Sutton received the Guitar Player of the Year award for the sixth time, and Adam Steffey dedicated his eighth Mandolin Player of the Year to his twin sons, who he expects to be born in the next two weeks.
Hosted by legendary mandolin player and band leader Sam Bush, the 2011 IBMA Awards Show were a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Monroe, recognized as the Father of Bluegrass.
A complete list of nominees, this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and the recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award are listed below.
A complete list of nominees, this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and the recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award are listed below.
Hall of Fame Inductees - Del McCoury, George Shuffler
Entertainer of the Year - Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Vocal Group of the Year - The Gibson Brothers
Instrumental Group of the Year - The Boxcars
Male Vocalist of the Year - Russell Moore
Female Vocalist of the Year - Dale Ann Bradley
Emerging Artist of the Year - The Boxcars
Album of the Year - Help My Brother by The Gibson Brothers (artists), Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber (producers), Compass (label)
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year - "Goin' Up Dry Branch," Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Buddy Spicher & Jimmy Martin (songwriters), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder (label)
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year - "Prayer Bells of Heaven" by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, & Paul Williams (artists), Ben Isaacs (producer), Mountain Home (label)
Song of the Year - "Trains I Missed;" Balsam Range (artists); Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard & Nicole Witt (songwriters)
Recorded Event of the Year - "Prayer Bells of Heaven" by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams (artists); Ben Isaacs (producer); Mountain Home (label)
Banjo Player of the Year - Kristin Scott Benson and Ron Stewart (tie)
Guitar Player of the Year - Bryan Sutton
Fiddle Player of the Year - Michael Cleveland
Bass Player of the Year - Marshall Wilborn
Mandolin Player of the Year - Adam Steffey
Dobro Player of the Year - Rob Ickes
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients - Greg Cahill, Bill Knowlton, Lilly Pavlak, Geoff Stelling, Roland White
Broadcaster of the Year - Katy Daley, WAMU Bluegrass Country
Print Media Person of the Year - Juli Thanki, Engine145.com
Bluegrass Event of the Year - Silver Dollar City's Bluegrass & BBQ Festival; Branson, Mo.
Best Graphic Design - Ricardo Alessio & Erica Harris (designer & artist), Abigail Washburn (artist), Rounder (label)
Best Liner Notes - Colin Escott (writer), A Mother's Prayer, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel (label)
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